Another thread about boots

Boats

Boats

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Aug 7, 2003
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Over time, I have gone from full leather, welt constructed Danners, to a variety of cement constructed "mid cuts" to now two consecutive pairs of Merrell Chamelon Gore-Tex XCR low cuts.

Has anyone else gone to wearing low cuts almost exclusively? I wear mine in the summer, and in the deep of winter. I have found over time that sock technology and gore-tex gaiters and lighter gear in general have improved so dramatically that many of the functions expected out of heavier constructed boots are replaceable or no longer worth their weight.

Other than Bear Grylls being seen wearing my chosen shoes on Friday nights, (which made me question my pick),;) there has been no downside. I have never had an ankle tweak prevented by a boot, it just moved around where I felt the pain. Any decent gaiter is taller than most popular boots and do a better job of keeping out dirt, water, and pebbles. And gaiters are not as hot as they are easily put on or taken of as needed. I can don or doff my OR gaiters in about 30 seconds. It's like having a hardtop convertible.

What do you wear in the woods when hiking/hunting? Have you "evolved":D away from boots that soldiers or loggers would wear?
 
Low cuts are a no go for me, My Vasque Sundowners have save my ankles from some nasty twists
Because of that I am more then willing to put up with the weight.
The sundowners arent insulated but i find with a good pair of liners and some good wool socks i can wear them year round.

-Eric
 
I wear a pair of Hi-Tec (used to be a crappy brand, but they are surprisingly good now) backpacking boots when I am in the woods. I had a lot of ankle injuries from playing soccer as a kid, so my ankles roll when a slight breeze blows on them. I have never had any ankles or other foot problems when wearing boots, other than the occasional blister, but I have to be super careful with my low-tops when I do stuff like river running since I turn my ankle pretty much every trip with them. If the boots are high enough and fit right, you shouldn't have problems with ankle rolling or twisting, but maybe that is just me. :)
 
I hear you. The biggest loss for using low cuts is some form of ankle support. I fractured an ankle on some scree while wearing a 6" boot, so I sort lost faith in a piece of gear saving me from having taken a bad line or a misstep.

From scrambling on tide pools and breakwaters on the Oregon coast in my low cut Chameleons or some tightly strapped Keens, I have found that learning where to step, and when, and not taking stupid chances, (like my ill fated line down the scree) is a lot more important than heavy ankle support.
 
Low cut boots are for trail people. For anyone who goes off trail in serious terrrain quality boots are mandatory.

There never will be a substitute for quality leather hiking boots.

Gaiters do nothing for ankles or damaged soles of feet.

Skam
 
I hiked 1200 Miles on the PCT using New Balance 803's (a low top trail running shoe) never had any problems with twisting my ankle or anything.

High tops can be nice but for me they are generally to heavy for hiking/backpacking.
 
Agreed, learning where to step is very important

However mishaps do happen, and i dont expect my boots to save me from every thing but the fact remains that a slip in a low cut boot will have a higher chance of causing injury then in a good mid-cut boot

Case and point-I was hiking down a moutian in B.C and accidently stepped on an unstable rock, I and the 60 pounds of gear i had came crashing down on to my one ankle that was on the ground, it gave out and rolled.I walked away from this with only a minor sprain, which i belive had to do with the ankle support of my boots.

Like Skammer pointed out this happened off trail, if i was on a trail some poor sap before me would have unlodged said rock 8)
 
CDRules said:
I hiked 1200 Miles on the PCT using New Balance 803's (a low top trail running shoe) never had any problems with twisting my ankle or anything.

High tops can be nice but for me they are generally to heavy for hiking/backpacking.
Click to expand...

I guess the next everest expedition will be wearing New Balance.:rolleyes:

Seriously off trail you have to wear boots as you never know what you are stepping on.

Hiker interstates whatever floats your boat.

Skam
 
I know you were joking, but there is, in fact, a trail to the top of Everest. All you need anymore is enough cash and a desperate enough guide. Apparently the Sherpas rig the ladders in key spots.

No low cuts up there though. Some insulated crampon compatible boots and GAITERS (OMG!) are required equipment. I guess I'll have to break my old Limmers out of storage someday.:p
 
I wear low cuts on the trail to avoid sweat and weight (usually Salomons or Merrills). Leather high tops in the woods if the going is tough. Too, I wear moccasins with leggings in the woods, on occasion.
 
As for boots...Russell's PH when I need something to protect my ankles from thorns or briars. Otherwise, I wear a low cut New Balance.
 
Danners or Jungle Boots (the real ones if it's warm) for me. I'm not much of a hiker, but when hunting I'm seldom on a trail. I find myself doing minor climbing and I feel more safe and secure with my ankles bound.
 
Bates Boots Are The Best The US Army's been using them since the 1800's
 
I most often wear some kind of boots. Very often, simple old leather combat boots. Work for me, and although I've tried all kinds of expensive new stuff, I always come back to those(, and sometimes the trusty old pair of Nokia rubber boots). They provide good support, have good grip, and are warm enough. For running and simple day hikes on a trail, I might wear something light, like just a basic pair of sneakers.
 
If I'm planning on going "regular people hiking" or car camping or running through most mountain forest and the colder months (when there is absolutely no worry of wigglies, I'm good at spotting them almost all the time but they've surprised me once or twice), then I'll just wear my Merril lowtops. They are super duper comfy and grippy as all getout. In my opinion some of the best shoes on the market for all-terrain. For everything else like going through draws, wet spots, extreme cold, warm climate in wiggly territory, I wear a good pair of boots. Something waterproof and thick with good protection. However, like some others have said, the only thing keeping me from twisting my ankle is me, not the boots. They don't do squat. They just keep me from getting stabbed by stickies or wiggly teeth, having cold feet, and jungle rot. That's it.
 
Merrell chameleons (low tops) for hikes, and danner acadias (nine inch leather and cordura) for hunting.
 
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